Bahrain to normalise ties with Israel 'in big peace move'
MANAMA, September 11, 2020
Bahrain has become the latest Arab nation to agree to normalise ties with Israel as part of a broader diplomatic push by President Donald Trump and his administration following the historic deal that UAE, US and Israel had reached on August 13.
It all started after His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa received a phone call from US President Donald Trump with the participation of Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reported BNA.
During the call, HM King Hamad stressed the need to reach a just and comprehensive peace as a strategic option, in accordance with the two-state solution and relevant resolutions of international legitimacy.
HM the King praised the pivotal role and steady efforts of the US Administration to advance the peace process, establish security and stability in the Middle East and strengthen international peace.
President Trump extended an invitation to Bahrain to participate in the signing ceremony of the peace agreement that will be held at the White House between the UAE and Israel on September 15, stated the news agency.
Following the call, the following joint statement was issued: "President Donald J. Trump, His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel today spoke and agreed to the establishment of full diplomatic relations between Israel and the Kingdom of Bahrain."
The three leaders dubbed it as a historic breakthrough to further peace in the Middle East.
"Opening direct dialogue and ties between these two dynamic societies and advanced economies will continue the positive transformation of the Middle East and increase stability, security, and the prosperity in the region," the joint statement said.
The US expresses its gratitude to the Bahrain for hosting the historic Peace to Prosperity workshop in Manama on June 25, 2019, to advance the cause of peace, dignity, and economic opportunity for the Palestinian people.
The parties will continue their efforts in this regard to achieve a just, comprehensive, and enduring resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to enable the Palestinian people to realize their full potential, reported BNA, citing the joint statement.
Israel affirmed that as set forth in the Vision for Peace, all Muslims who come in peace may visit and pray at the Al Aqsa Mosque and Jerusalem’s other holy sites will remain open for peaceful worshippers of all faiths.
King Hamad and Prime Minister Netanyahu express their deep appreciation to President Trump for his dedication to peace in the region, his focus on shared challenges, and the pragmatic and unique approach he has taken to bringing their nations together, it stated.
The parties commended the UAE and Crown Prince Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed for his leadership on August 13 in announcing full diplomatic relations with Israel.
Bahrain has also accepted President Trump’s invitation to join Israel and the UAE at the historic signing ceremony on September 15 at the White House where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani of Bahrain will be signing a historic Declaration of Peace.”
The Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani has empsized the importance of the historic step taken by His Majesty towards achieving peace in the Middle East, with the prominent efforts of Trump to reach the Declaration of Peace with Israel.
Dr Al Zayani said that Bahrain stresses the need to reach a just and comprehensive peace solution as a strategic option to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, according to the international legitimacy resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative, in a manner that preserves the rights of the Palestinian people.
He described the step as pragmatic in facing the strategic challenges and protecting national interests.
The Shura and Representatives Councils too hailed it as a historical step that will contribute to promoting peace and stability in the region. They described the step as a continuation of the kingdom’s efforts to boost security, stability and peace all over the world.
The National Assembly underscored the Importance of intensifying efforts to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and achieve just and comprehensive peace according to the two-state solution and the relevant resolutions of the international legitimacy.
The Shura and Representatives Councils affirmed that the step is in the interest of the region’s security, stability and prosperity and is in line with Bahrain’s inherent approach and glorious history of promoting openness and co-existence with all and fostering social cohesion.
UAE and Egypt too have welcomed the decision by the Bahrain to establish relations with Israel.
In a statement on Friday, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation commended the move, expressing its hope that establishing relations would have a positive effect on the climate for peace and cooperation regionally and internationally, reported Emirates News Agency (WAM).
The Ministry also noted that the move represents a significant step towards an era of security and prosperity, underscoring that it would expand the scope of economic, cultural, scientific, and diplomatic avenues of cooperation, it added.
Egyptian President Abdelfattah El Sisi called His Majesty to congratulate him on kingdom’s 'historical step' which will advance the peace process and open prospects for stability in the Middle East.
